Potato-cutter.



No. 653,385. Patented ,luly I0, 1900.

.1. E. HOWELL & w. A. CHAMBERLAIN. POTATO ICUTTER.

(Application filed Sept. 5, 1899.)

(No llodel.)

NITE STATES PATE T EFIcE.

JOHN E. HOWELL AND WILLIAM A. CHAMBERLAIN, 0F MONTAGUE,

' CALIFORNIA.

POTATO-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of IA-JtteI'S Patent NO. 653,385, dated July10, 1900.

Application filed ptfiml r 5, 1899. $erial No. 729,456. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN E. HOWELL and; WILLIAM A. CHAMBERLAIN,citizens of the L United States, residing at Montague, county ofSiskiyou, State of California, have invented an Improvement inPotato-Cutters; and we hereby declare the following to be a-full, clear,and exact description of the same.

Our invention relates to a device for cutting and slicing potatoes intothe form for cooking what are known as French-fried potatoes.

It consists of the parts and the constructions and combinations of partshereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the cutter. Fig. 2is a perspective view of the same.

The bed or table is so constructed that it has two surfaces A and A atdifferent e1evations, and between these two sections is an open space orchannel B for the discharge of the manufactured article. Abuttingagainst the higher portion of the table is fixed a horizontal knifeG,which lies above the open space or channel 13 between the adjacentends of the two parts of the table and with its edge presented towardthe lower portion, above which it projects slightly. Vertical cutters Dare fixed in this lower portion at a short distance apart,with theirupper ends approximately on a level with the edge of the blade 0. Thesevertical cutters also present their edges toward the lower portion ofthe table, so that when the potato or other article to be cut is laidupon this lower portion and is pushed toward the cutter it issimultaneously divided horizontally, and the portion cut off issubdivided by the vertical cutters so that it forms long slender strips,these strips passingout through the channel B and being deposited intoany receptacles beneath, over which the table is supported.

In order to properly hold and reciprocate the article to be out, we haveshown a slidable frame comprising two heads E E and connecting sides D,one of which heads, E, has a bolt F. passing through it and through'aslot or channel G made in the higher portion of the table. This bolt hasa nut or other keeper beneath the table, so that the frame E can bemoved backward and forward and properly guided and prevented from beinglifted out of place. At the opposite end of this frame and secured tothe head E is an elevated block H, which forms an abutment against whichthe potato rests and by which it may be pushed forward againstthecutters.

I is a cover hinged between the sides D of the frame, so that it may beclosed down between said sides and substantially occupy the open centerof the frame, said cover having its movable end presented toward theblock H and having finger-pieces or other means by which it may beraised and turned about its hinges.

The operation will then be as follows: The sliding frame being drawnback to its farthest distance, the potato is laid upon the lower portionof the table between the sides of the frame and abutting against theraised block H, and the cover I is closed down to rest upon the potato,the hand of the operator grasping the curved top of the block H andholding the sides of the cover between the fingers. The slidable partmay be pushed forward, thus forcing the potato against the cutters, aspreviously described, and forming strips which fall through the opening.It is then withdrawn and the potato will drop upon the lower surface ofthe table, and being again pushed forward another slice and series ofstrips will be cut, and so on until the entire potato has been cut up.The block H'moves up close against the edges of the cutters and may begrooved or channeled for this purpose, if desired.

In order to prevent the cutters from entering the block too deeply orinjuring it, a stop J is shown at the rear end of the higher portion ofthe table, and against this the end of the slide strikes when it hasfinishedits stroke in that direction, thus forming astop to arrest theslidable portion and prevent the cutters from injuring the block H.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Iietters Patent, is

1. A device for cutting and slicing vegetables, fruits, 850., includinga table or'support having surfaces at different elevations and one ofsaid surfaces provided with a longitudinally-exte'nding slot, verticaland horizontal knives or cutters secured to said surfaces, a slideincluding end heads and connecting sides forming an open center adaptedto receive the article to be operated upon, a bolt passing through oneof said heads and the said slot, and a cover confined between said headsand sides and hinged at one end whereby it may be closed upon saidarticle.

2. A device for cutting and slicing vegetables, fruits, (he. comprisinga table or support provided with knives or cutters and alongitudinally-extending slot, a horizontal frame having means engagingsaid slot whereby it is guided, said frame including end heads andconnecting sides forming an opening for the article to be operated upon,one of said JOHN E. HOYVELL. WILLIAM A. CHAMBERLAIN.

XVitnesses:

O. O. JOHNSON, J. A. MoCARToN.

